Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026
08:01
A Method for Manipulating Blood Glucose and Measuring Resulting Changes in Cognitive Accessibility of Target Stimuli
Published on: August 12, 2016
Is there an association between sweetened beverages and adiposity?
Christine M Bachman1, Tom Baranowski, Theresa A Nicklas
1University of Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
Nutrition Reviews
|May 6, 2006
Summary
This review explored how sweetened beverages may link to obesity. While excess calorie intake shows promise, conclusive evidence requires further research comparing specific mechanisms in at-risk populations.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Sweetened beverage consumption is a public health concern.
- Potential links between sweetened beverages and obesity require investigation.
- Understanding these links is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review mechanisms potentially linking sweetened beverages to overweight and obesity.
- To evaluate the strength of evidence for each proposed mechanism.
- To identify gaps in current research.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies examining sweetened beverages and obesity.
- Analysis of four proposed mechanisms: caloric intake, glycemic index/load, liquid calorie satiety, and milk displacement.
- Assessment of findings for consistency and conclusiveness.
Main Results:
- Inconsistent findings across studies were observed.
- The excess caloric intake hypothesis received the strongest, though not conclusive, support.
- Other mechanisms showed limited or inconclusive evidence.
Conclusions:
- The association between sweetened beverages and adiposity is complex and not fully elucidated.
- Further research is needed to compare specific mechanisms, particularly in obesity-prone populations.
- Controlling for confounding variables is essential in future studies.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
01:53Cause and Effect
While variables are sometimes correlated because one does cause the other, it could also be that some other factor, a confounding variable, is actually causing the systematic movement in our variables of interest. For instance, as sales in ice cream increase, so does the overall rate of crime. Is it possible that indulging in your favorite flavor of ice cream could send you on a crime spree? Or, after committing crime do you think you might decide to treat yourself to a cone?
01:24The Physiology of Taste
The perception of a salty flavor is facilitated by sodium ions within the oral salivary fluid. Upon consumption of a salty substance, salt crystals disassemble, leading to the liberation of its constituents—Na+ and Cl- ions. These ions subsequently dissolve into the salivary fluid present in the oral cavity. The external environment of the gustatory cells experiences an elevation in Na+ concentration, thereby establishing a potent concentration gradient. This gradient propels the diffusion of...
01:27Glucose Transporters
Glucose transporters facilitate the transport of glucose across the cell membrane. In addition to glucose, some glucose transporters can also aid the movement of other hexoses such as fructose, mannose, and galactose.
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
01:25Regulation of Water Intake
Osmolality refers to the number of solute particles per kilogram of solvent in a solution. Plasma osmolality specifically indicates the total number of solute particles per kilogram of water in blood plasma. This value reflects the body's hydration status and is tightly regulated through mechanisms controlling water intake and output. While water consumption is a conscious decision, the body has intrinsic regulatory systems to maintain fluid balance. Dehydration, a state of water deficit...
01:15Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
For most patients, experiencing several weeks of polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, and significant weight loss may indicate the presence of diabetes. Furthermore, adults displaying the phenotypic appearance of type 2 diabetes (particularly those who are obese and not initially insulin-requiring), may have islet cell autoantibodies, suggesting autoimmune-mediated β cell destruction and a diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). The categorization of glucose homeostasis is based on...